Warning: Time Is Running Out to Ride Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
It hits differently when a ride you’ve known for decades starts its final countdown. For almost 30 years, one coaster at Walt Disney World has blasted guests into the darkness with pounding music and zero hesitation. Now, with March 1 fast approaching, that experience is preparing to take its final bow.
If you’ve told yourself you’ll ride it “next trip,” this is your wake-up call. After March 1, it won’t exist in the form you remember.
The Ride That Raised the Intensity
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 29, 1999. At the time, Disney didn’t have many attractions that flipped guests upside down or launched them into high-speed chaos. This coaster changed that immediately.
Guests stepped into a replica recording studio and watched Aerosmith invite them to a concert across town. Then everything shifted. The limo rolled forward, the countdown hit, and riders launched from 0 to 57 miles per hour in under three seconds. That explosive start became one of the most recognizable moments in the park.
The thrills didn’t stop there. The ride featured three inversions, glowing freeway signs, and Aerosmith hits blasting through onboard speakers. “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” and “Love in an Elevator” turned every ride into a neon-soaked sprint through Los Angeles.
Over time, the coaster built a reputation as one of Hollywood Studios’ most intense experiences. It stood shoulder to shoulder with Tower of Terror as a defining thrill ride. For many fans, it became a tradition. Now, nearly three decades later, that original version is closing for good.
The End Is Near
Disney has confirmed that March 1 will be the final day to experience Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. On March 2, the attraction will close as crews begin transforming it for a new chapter.
This isn’t a routine refurbishment. Disney is retiring the Aerosmith theme entirely. The coaster will remain closed for several months before reopening in summer 2026 with a different identity.
Guests already feel the urgency. Wait times have stretched as fans squeeze in farewell rides. People snap photos in the queue, linger in the pre-show, and treat each launch like it might be their last. Once March 1 passes, that chapter officially ends.
The Muppets Take Center Stage
While one era wraps up, another begins. When the coaster returns in 2026, The Muppets will headline the experience.
The timing feels intentional. Muppet Courtyard at Hollywood Studios has already closed, including Muppet*Vision 3D. Many fans feared that meant the end of the Muppets at Walt Disney World. Instead, Disney is giving the characters a new spotlight.
The reimagined coaster will replace the Aerosmith storyline with a Muppet-driven adventure. Disney hasn’t revealed every detail, but the concept leans into the characters’ chaotic, backstage energy. That tone fits the existing ride structure surprisingly well.
The launch system, track layout, and overall thrill level are expected to stay intact. The biggest updates will come through new scenes, updated effects, and an entirely new soundtrack. Guests won’t lose the speed or the inversions. They’ll just experience them through a different lens.
Closing One Chapter, Opening Another
Saying goodbye to a nearly 30-year icon isn’t easy. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith reshaped Hollywood Studios when it debuted. It proved Disney could blend storytelling with serious coaster technology.
On March 1, the final launch of this version will mark its end. Starting March 2, construction walls go up, and the transformation begins.
When summer 2026 arrives, The Muppets will step into the spotlight. Until then, the countdown continues. If you want one last ride with Aerosmith, now is the time.
After March 1, the music changes for good.
